Rise and Shine: Everything you need to know before the ASX opens

Good morning and happy World Guinea Pig Appreciation Day to you. Here’s everything you need to know before the ASX opens.

Rob Badman

5 min read

July 16, 2024 - 5:00AM

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Guniea pig, Getty pic.

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Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Good morning everyone, and welcome to 16 July, 2024. Also known as World Snake Day.

With more than 3,450 species of much-maligned, misunderstood serpent on the planet, and absolute shedloads of them in Australia, there's a you-beaut danger noodle for just about everyone.

If snakes aren't your speed, though, you might want to get around World Guinea Pig Appreciation Day, which also happens to be today.

We had a guinea pig we named Bob once upon a time. He liked to nestle in with some cushions at the back of the couch. One day, Grandma sat on Bob, who was advancing in years himself, probably breaking several of his 258 bones (they have 52 more than humans). It turned out Bob was very far from okay. Appreciate you, Bob.

Here's some more truth, courtesy of global markets and the ASX this morning…

COMMODITY/FOREX/CRYPTO MARKET PRICES

Gold: US$2,419.33 (-0.36%)

Silver: US$30.76 (-0.04%)

Nickel (3mth): US$16,856/t (+0.28%)

Copper (3mth): US$9,863/t (-0.14%)

Zinc: US$2,963/t (-0.68%)

Oil (WTI): US$81.97 (-0.29%)

Oil (Brent): US$84.82 (-0.25%)

Iron 62pc Fe: US$109.58/t (0%)

AUD/USD: 0.677 (+0.05%)

Bitcoin: US$62,729 (+2.90%)

WHAT GOT YOU TALKING

Everyone's favourite commod right now. That's right – Nb. If you know you niobium.

#Niobium has practically been rubber-stamped to spark a new wave of tech advances and #ASX juniors are on the hunt. https://t.co/ccyqsCD3y0
â€” Stockhead (@StockheadAU) July 14, 2024

MONDAY'S ASX SMALL CAP LEADERS

Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks:

Swipe or scroll to reveal full table. Click headings to sort:

Code	Name	Price	% Change	Volume	Market Cap
1TT	Thrive Tribe Tech	0.003	50%	21,741,298	$941,243
APC	Aust Potash Ltd	0.002	50%	1,014,500	$4,020,189
AVE	Avecho Biotech Ltd	0.003	50%	1,509,724	$6,338,594
ARN	Aldoro Resources	0.105	48%	4,911,568	$9,558,286
MDI	Middle Island Res	0.024	41%	8,091,654	$3,703,518
DOU	Douugh Limited	0.004	33%	59,518	$3,246,207
RFT	Rectifier Technolog	0.008	33%	1,924,782	$8,291,904
SFG	Seafarms Group Ltd	0.004	33%	1,280,372	$14,509,798
TIG	Tigers Realm Coal	0.004	33%	1,708,240	$39,200,107
RWD	Reward Minerals Ltd	0.060	33%	45,412	$10,253,391
MXO	Motio Ltd	0.022	29%	7,464,578	$4,559,372
AI1	Adisyn Ltd	0.035	25%	3,887,727	$5,183,696
RGL	Riversgold	0.008	25%	31,486,232	$7,257,461
SNS	Sensen Networks Ltd	0.025	25%	24,250	$15,558,175
EEL	Enrg Elements Ltd	0.003	25%	79,570	$2,019,930
HLX	Helix Resources	0.003	25%	933,333	$6,528,387
LPD	Lepidico Ltd	0.003	25%	717,282	$17,178,239
MCT	Metalicity Limited	0.003	25%	15,245,631	$8,971,705
VRC	Volt Resources Ltd	0.005	25%	5,844,937	$16,634,713
ICR	Intelicare Holdings	0.021	24%	905,887	$4,946,994
3DP	Pointerra Limited	0.077	22%	8,886,605	$50,719,838
I88	Infini Resources Ltd	0.900	22%	3,002,549	$28,107,661
GIB	Gibb River Diamonds	0.045	22%	45,000	$7,825,849
HCT	Holista CollTech Ltd	0.006	20%	36,504	$1,394,000
CY5	Cygnus Metals Ltd	0.051	19%	1,989,865	$12,614,443

Small Cap Winners included:

Aldoro Resources (ASX:ARN) reported fresh metallurgical test work has returned open-cycle niobium (yep, told you – see above) recovery level of 62.4% “on a selected Kameelburg sample”.

Those are numbers in line with recovery levels by developing mining explorers and producers in the global niobium space. Good news.

ARN says the processes resulted in an upgrade of the head feed of 0.74% Nb2O5 to 5.5% Nb2O5, “a multiple of 10.6 times with a 62.4% recovery rate of Nb2O5.” The digger says recovery rate and upgrade values are considered encouraging in the initial test phase.

“The forward process will focus on a finer grind and micro floatation to increase the grade and recovery further."

Our Cam Drummond says, if this stock wasn’t on your niobium radar, its 54% morning bump in stock price this morning "could make you sit up and take notice."

The explorer says the results have boosted its confidence ahead of maiden drilling that’s targeting rich niobium dykes across the tenure.

Prep for a diamond drill rig and relevant personnel are advancing, with the initial drill program targeted to commence at the end of Q3, subject to regulatory approvals.

Shares went galactic on the news, up 54.9% to be this morning’s biggest riser and is trading at 11c.

Metalicity (ASX:MCT) is out at the Yundamindra Gold Project, located 65 kms south east of Leonora and 65 kms east of Kookynie where assays from the recent RC drilling programme have been returned with multiple impressive gold intersections and high grades.

Significant intercepts include: 14m@3.13g/tAu from 28m, and 1m@15.72g/t Au.

Importantly, MCT says mineralised intercepts correlate with historical drill intercepts, providing validation and encouragement for further drilling and potential resource estimation.

Adisyn (ASX:AI1) says it’s gone in for a binding collaboration agreement with 2D Generaton Ltd – is a global semiconductor IP business incorporated in Israel with close ties to – among others – NVIDIA.

Just say the name and the investors pile in.

Be that as it may, AI1 reports the the partnership aims to “generate transformational opportunities in the AI space”.

“Leveraging Adisyn’s expertise in data centre management, managed IT services, and cybersecurity, alongside 2D Generation’s industry-leading
capabilities in developing next-generation AI semiconductor solutions.

The lithium hunter Dynamic Metals (ASX:DYM) farm-out JV of Widgiemooltha with Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) has started to bear fruit after pre-conditions were satisfied and the latter coughed up a $4m payment.

The deal, etched in March, gives MIN a 40% share in the lithium rights of the project (after a further $1m payment next year), which will bump up to 65% as long as it spends $15m on exploration within the next four years.

While DYM has been searching the tenements for nickel prospectivity of late, MinRes is expected to start hitting the ground shortly to further prove up identified lithium targets.

Attura (ASX:ATA)
IT firms Atturra is rising as well after agreement to acquire Exent Holdings for $6mn in upfront consideration with earn-out/post-completion consideration of up to $2mn cash. ATA says it’s a strategically aligned acquisition which helps to extend ATA’s advisory and consulting network.

ATA also says FY24 revenue is expected to exceed $240 million, a 35% increase from the previous year. The company anticipates an underlying EBITDA of $25-$26 million, up 19% on pcp.

There’s been some 40 new federal government contracts, including ones with the Departments of Defence, Home Affairs, and Treasury, which boosted performance.

And the local penny stock Middle Island Resources (ASX:MDI) announced on Friday a massive leg up from NT government – circa $300,000 for a drilling collab at its Barkly IOCG project near Tennant Creek.

Three diamond holes are being funded at the Wilma, Pebbles and Dino prospects which are targeted for copper, gold and base metals mineralisation from analysing geophysical data back in April.

"With these grants, MDI is now set to commence drilling planning for the 2024 season," MDI CEO Roland Bartsch said.

“MDI is delighted to have again been awarded collaboration grants under the NT Government's Resourcing the Territory program.

"This is a competitive program, and to be the only company to have received the maximum grant allowed is an endorsement of the concepts and targets developed by the team’s systematic approach."

Shares were up over 23% on Monday.

MONDAY'S ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS

Here are the worst performing ASX small cap stocks:

Swipe or scroll to reveal full table. Click headings to sort:

Code	Name	Price	% Change	Volume	Market Cap
1TT	Thrive Tribe Tech	0.002	-50%	7,590,306	$1,882,486
VPR	Voltgroupltd	0.001	-50%	11,883	$21,432,416
SIH	Sihayo Gold Limited	0.002	-33%	208,000	$36,612,769
DRO	Droneshield Limited	1.860	-28%	42,865,485	$1,982,631,014
EXL	Elixinol Wellness	0.003	-25%	158,809	$5,284,729
OAR	OAR Resources Ltd	0.002	-25%	67,500	$6,444,200
SFG	Seafarms Group Ltd	0.003	-25%	94,913	$19,346,397
TKL	Traka Resources	0.002	-25%	130,000	$3,501,317
AEV	Avenira Limited	0.005	-25%	1,579,830	$14,094,204
S66	Star Combo	0.110	-24%	20,000	$19,587,032
AGH	Althea Group	0.023	-23%	2,408,077	$12,159,973
XGL	Xamble Group Limited	0.020	-23%	62,499	$7,700,085
MXO	Motio Ltd	0.017	-23%	993,051	$5,900,364
FAL	Falconmetalsltd	0.240	-21%	750,240	$53,985,000
ADD	Adavale Resource Ltd	0.004	-20%	2,005,002	$5,326,327
HLX	Helix Resources	0.002	-20%	200,000	$8,160,484
IVX	Invion Ltd	0.004	-20%	9,876	$33,022,661
LPD	Lepidico Ltd	0.002	-20%	1,946,900	$21,472,798
MRQ	Mrg Metals Limited	0.004	-20%	4,292,500	$13,557,593
RML	Resolution Minerals	0.002	-20%	415,200	$4,025,055
RNE	Renu Energy Ltd	0.004	-20%	3,005	$3,630,670
AUG	Augustus Minerals	0.077	-17%	5,184,106	$7,939,410
AMD	Arrow Minerals	0.003	-17%	5,886,198	$31,618,095
AVE	Avecho Biotech Ltd	0.003	-17%	1,169,015	$9,507,891